Step 1: Select the App Icon You Wish to Remove
Start by locating the app icon that you want to remove from the desktop. You can do this easily by clicking once on the icon or by hovering over it with your mouse. Once the app icon is selected, it will become highlighted.
Step 2: Drag the App Icon to the Trash
With the app icon selected, move your cursor to the top left corner of the screen, and click on the icon of the trash can. Alternatively, drag the app icon to the trash folder located on the dock at the bottom of the screen. Dragging an app icon to the trash will not delete the application from your Mac entirely, but it will remove the icon from your desktop.
Step 3: Empty the Trash
Once you have moved all the app icons to the Trash folder, you need to empty the trash to remove the apps entirely. To do this, click on the trash icon on the dock, and when the trash folder opens, click on the “Empty” button located on the top right corner of the window. You can also right-click on the trash folder and select “Empty Trash” from the context menu.
Step 4: Restart Your Mac
This step is optional but recommended. Restarting your Mac can help ensure that all of the app icons removed from the desktop are entirely gone. Once your Mac has restarted, the app icons that you removed should no longer be visible on your desktop.
Customizing Your Desktop Experience
If you are looking to take your customization efforts one step further, you can change the way your desktop looks altogether. For example, you can create a new folder and move all the app icons that you do not use frequently, making them easy to locate if you ever need to use them. This also keeps your desktop looking clean and organized. Alternatively, you can change your Mac’s desktop background by clicking on the Apple icon on the top left corner and navigating to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver.
In Conclusion
Removing app icons from the desktop of a Mac is a simple and quick process that can significantly improve your desktop experience. With the easy-to-follow steps outlined above, you can declutter your desktop in just a few minutes, leaving you with a cleaner, more organized work environment. Remember that customizing your desktop is an ongoing process, and you may need to revisit your desktop regularly to ensure everything is tidy.